Hay-loader.



3 SHEETS-SHEET I.

Patented Aug. 21,1917.

J. DAIN HAY LOADER.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 9. 1914.

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HAY LOADER..

APPLICATION FILED FEB- 9, 1914.

1,287,305; Patented Aug. 21, 1917.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

1 UNITED sTATEs PATENT OFFICE.

, Josnrn nnnv, or Mad m, ILLINOIS, .ASSIG-NOR To DAIN MANUFACTURING COMPANY or IOWA, or OI'IUMWA, IOWA, A CORPORATION or IOWA.

HAY-LOADER.

To aZZ w/imitfit may, concernr v Be it known thatI, JOSnBi-i 'DAIN, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Moline, in the countybf Rock Island and State of Illinois, have invented certain new a n d useful Improvements izin Hay-Loaders, ofwhich the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings. i f

My invention relates to hay loaders of the type illustrated and described in Letters Patent of the United States, No. 961,757,

granted to me June 21, 1910, comprising an inclined elevator frame over Which operate two rake-fra1nes which are reciprocated over the elevator frame in such manner as to carry up hay thereon on their respective upstrokes,,while. on their down-strokes their lower ends are moved out from the elevator frame so that when the rake-frames again move upward the rake-heads carried by them act to gather thehay and carry it up over the elevatorframe to the upper end thereof where itis discharged. The rakeframes are "reciprocated by means of pitmen two at eachside'of the'kmachine, operated by cranks driven IEI'OHLthG main carrying wheels, the elevator frame beingsupported upon such. wheels and also upon caster wheels or runners placed adjacent to the lower end of; the elevator. frame. 1

My present invention has to dowith supporting devices for suspending the rake frames over the elevator frame, and has for its: object to provide for yieldingly supporting the lower end portions of the rakeframes, and to provide means for readilyadjusting the height from the ground at which the rake-heads Y operate. The best operating conditions for hay loaders vary with the character of the meadow. For ex.- ample,in an extremely rough meadow the rake-heads or forks are usually set a little higher from the groundso that they will not strike thehummocks, and when manure has been spread uponthe meadow it is desirable to adjust. the forks a sufiicient'disttance from the ground so that when gathering the hay they willirake above the manure and will not disturb the mulch. It is also desirable thatfithe rake-heads be flexibly or yieldingly supported so that when traveling overrough ground if they are thrownaup by. striking obstaclesth'ey will be cushioned when falling again; It is also desirable Specification of Letters Patent. 7 Patuay] A1 2 1 1917,

" Application filed February 9, 1914. Serial No. 817,673. 7 i i thatthe forks and pitmen at one side of the machine be capable of rising and falling independently of those of the other side, thus reducing the strains which the rake-v frames as a whole are subjected to aswell .view, showing the devices by which the pit men are suspended and the lower ends of the rake-frames supported and adjusted;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail, being a sec tion online4i of Fig.3; f

Fig. 5 is an elevation of certain of the parts shown in F ig; 3, the shaft being partly broken away;

Figs. 6 and 7 are sectional views on line 6-6 of Fig. 5 showing two positions ofthe rocking arms from which the pitmen are suspended;

Fig. 8 is a section on line 8.8 of Fig.3; and Fig. 911s a cross-section on line 99 of Fig. 3, the adjusting-bar being omitted.

Referring to the drawings,

1011 indicate the sidemembers of, the usual elevator frame, which comprisesialso longitudinal strips 12 and transverse strips 13. 14 indicates a supporting 'frameupon the upper end portion of which the elevator frame is pivoted inteiunediately. of its length, said frame 1% being mounted on carrying-wheels 15. ..16 indicates caster wheels which support the lower rear por' ,tion of the elevator frame, being'mounted 24 indicates the rake-bars constituting one rake-frame, and the rake-bars constituting the other rakef 'ame. The rake-bars of the two rake-frames alternate and are each provided at their lower ends with rakeheads or forks 26. They are also provided intermediately with a series of teeth 27 which operate to advance the hay up over the elevator frame in the usual way as the rake-frames are reciprocated. The several rake-bars 24 constituting one of the rakeframes are connected together by a transverse-bar 28, preferably in the form of a square tubular shaft, each of said rakebars having an arm'29 pivoted atits lower end to the rake-bar, asshown at 30 in Fig. 1, its upper end being rigidly connected-with the bar 28. In like manner each of the rakebars 25 is connected to a transverse-bar 31 by an arm 32, pivoted at 33 to the rakebar. The transverse-bar 28 is connected at or near its ends bylinks 34 with verticallyadjustable blocks 35, supported by uprights 36, secured to the sidemembers -1011 of the elevator frame, as also shown in Fig. 1; and in like manner the transverse-bar 31 is connected by links 37 with said blocks The blocks are suitably suspended from the upper end portions of the uprights 36,

as for example, by devicessuch as are shown in my said Patent No. 961,757. Byadjusting the blocks 35 vertically the paths of the rakeframes may, to a certain extent, be adjusted or varied. This construction, however, separately considered, forms no part of my present invention. 38 indicates pitmen, one at each side of the machine, which connect the cranks 20 witlithe pivots 33, and 39 indicates pitmen which connect the cranks 21 with the pivots 30. The pitmen 38 39 are fulcrumed intermediately of their length upon swinging links 404l, respectively. The links 40-41 at one side of the machine, in the illustration the lefthand side, are pivotally connected respec tively to arms 4243, mounted upon a transverse shaft 44, which is journaled in the upper end portions of the standards 36, as best shown in Fig. 5. In like manner the links at the opposite side of the machine are pivotally connectedto arms 46, respectively, secured upon the opposite end portion of the shaft 44." It will be apparent, therefore, that by rocking the shaft 44 the arms 4243 4546 carried thereby may be rocked, thereby raising or lowering the links 40-41 and correspondingly adjusting the position of the fulcra of the several pitmen 3839, thus varying the paths of the two rake-frames. It is desirable that the arms ,424345-46 have a limited movement independently of the shaft 44 in order to permit the rake-bars atone side of the machine to rise and fall independently of those at the other side, as when they encounter an obstruction, such as a rock, or

As best shown in Figs. 5and 6, the shaft 44 is substantially square in cross-section but has its edges rounded and the several arms 42434546 are provided with sleeves 47 which fit upon the shaft. The openings through said sleeves, however, do not fit closely upon the entire periphery of the shaft, but are provided with recesses opposite the corners of the shaft and with bearing portions 49 between said recesses, as best shown in Figs. 6 and 7. It will be apparent that, as illustrated in said fl flffli'GS, the several arms 423454($ are capable of a limited rocking movement independently of the shaft in either direction from the neutral position shown in 7. Each pair of said arms may move independently of the other pair to a limited extent, and consequently the pairs of pitmen may move correspondingly to allow either side of the rake-frames to accommodate themselves to inequalities in the ground, or to obstructions encountered by its raking devices. In order to prevent endwise movement of the transverse shaft 44, cotter pines 5051 are provided, which, in the illustration, pass through the arms 43 and 46 and the shaft 44, .as shown in Figs. 5 and 6. The slots in the arms 4346 through which the cotter pins pass are elongated to permit of the independent movement of said arms above described. I

For the purpose of positively adjusting the position of the 'pitmen and also of yieldingly supporting them, and through them the rake-frames, a lever 52 is provided which is secured to the shaft 44. In the construction illustrated this lever is connected with the shaft 44 by means of a Ushaped strap 53, the doubled portion of which is inserted in the end of the shaft 44, as best shown in Fig. 4, its ends being folded back and riveted to the lever 52 adjacent to the arm The cotter pin 50 passes through the loop of the strap 53, as shown in Fig. 4, and holds it in position. The lever 52 is provided with a swiveled sleeve 54 which embraces a locking-bar '55 having a series of notches 56, as shown in Fig. 3, said notches being adapted to fit upon a bolt 57, or other suitable stop, screwed into one of the uprights 36, asshown in Figs. 3 and 9 58 indicates a spring mounted on the locking-bar at the opposite side of the sleeve 54 from the notches 56, said spring hearing at one end against a pin 59 in said bar 55, and at the other end against the sleeve 54, the arrangement being such that the spring 58 operates normally to swing the lever 52 in such direction as to rock the shaft 44 to lift the rake-frames. At the opposite side of the bar from the spring 58, said bar is pro vided With a stop 60 which limits the move 1,237,305 I I I 8 ment of the sleeve 54: in the'opposite direction. y i

The operation ofthis part ofthe apparatus is as follows: The weight of 'the pitmen and rakeframcs tends to swing" the arms 42-ft3-4l5-*4l6 downward andto rock the shaft Ti l: accordingly. This throws the lever 52 outward or upwardagainstthe sprin 58, which accordingly y'ieldingly suppt the rake-frames. By s y inging the lever downward the locking-bar may be released from the bolt 57 and adjusted. longitudinally so as to vary the height at which the pitmen are normallysupported, and correspondingly vary the paths of the raking devices. As the lever 52 isconnected with the shaft 44:, it willbe apparent that the pitmen at both sides of the machine are simultaneously and uniforn' ly adjusted. It will be evident fromthe foregoing desciuption that while the raking devices can be evenly adjusted by a-single lever, the supporting devices at the'opposite sides of the machine are capable of independent movement, to a limited extent, to enable the raking devices to accommodate then'isel'ves to obstructions of inequalities in the ground.

That which I claim asmy invention, and desire to secure by Lettersf'Patent, is

1. In a hay loader, tlie' combination of an elevator frame, raking devices above said elevator frame; p'itmen connected with said raklng' devices for actuating the saine,

swinging supports on the lower end poi tions of which said pitmen are fulcrumed, a lever, and rocking means operated by said lever to;simultaneously adjust the positionof said swinging supports at both sides of the loader.

2. In a hay loader, the combination of an elevator-frame, raking devices above said elevatOnframe, pitmen connected with said rakingdevices for actuating the same, swinging supports on which said pitmen are fulcrumed, a lever, locking arms connected with said swinging supports, and means opcratively connecting said lever with said arms whereby said swinging supports may be adjusted by operatii ig said lever, said arms being capable of a limited rocking movement independently of said lever.

3. In a hay, loader, the combination of an elevator frame, raking devices above said elevator frame, pitmen connected with said raking devices for actuating the same, swinging supports on which said pitmen are fulcrumed, a lever for adjusting the positionof said swinging support, and a spring acting upon said lever in opposition to the '\veight of the pitmen and raking devices.

4. In a hay leader, the combination of an elevator frame, raking devices above said elevator frameppitmen connected with said raking; devices for actuating the same, swinging supports onwhich said pitmen are fulcrumedya lever foradjusting the position of saidswinging supports, a barmovably connected with said lever and adjustably connected with the machine frame, and a spring interposed between said lever and said bar for yieldingly supportin said raking devices. I

In ahay loader, the combination of an elevator frame, raking devices above said elevator frame, pitmen connected with said raking devices for actuating the same,

swinging supports connected with said pitmen,,aroclr-shaft, arms connecting the upper end portions of said swinging supports'to said rock-shaft, a lever for rocking said shaft, and means acting upon said lever to yieldingly hold it in position. l

6. In a hay loader, the combination of an elevator frame, rakingdevices above said elevator fame, pitmen connected with said raking devices for actuating the same, swinging supports connected with said pitmen, a rock-shaft, arms connecting the upper endportions of said swinging supports-to said rock-shaft, a lever for rocking said shaft, means for securing said lever in different positions of adjustment, and a spring acting on said lever to yieldingly'support the raking devices. I

i 7;, In a hay loa'denthe combination of an elevator frame, raking devices above said elevator framdjpitmen connected with said raking devices for actuating the same, swinging supports connected with said pitmen, a rock-shaft, armsmovably connected to said rock-shaft, so as to have a limited movement independently thereof, said swinging supports being connected to said arms, and a lever for rockin said shaft.

8. In a hay-loader, the combination of an elevator-frame, raking mechanism above said elevator-frame, a lever mountedfabove the elevator-frame, a member movably connected with saidlever and adjustably connected with the elevator-frame, means connecting said lever with said raking mechanism, and a spring interposed between said lever and said adjustable member.

9. In a hay-loader, the combination of an elevator-frame, raking mechanism above said elevator-frame, a rock-shaft mounted above the elevator-frame, an arm mounted on said rock-shaft and having" a limited movement independently thereof, means connecting said arm with said raking mechanism, and a lever for'rocking said rockshaft. j

10. In a hay loader, the combination of an elevator frame, rake-frames above said elevator frame, a pair of pitmen at each side of said elevator frame and connected with said rake-frames, respectively, swinging supports for said pitmen, a rock-shaft, arms mounted on said rock-shaft'and connected with said swinging supports, said arms having a limited movement independentlymof said rock-shaft, a lever for rocking said sha:Et, and:a spring normally exerting a liftingzefiect on said lever. t

said rock-shaft, and a lever for rocking said Shaft. t

12. The combination with aitubular shaft non-circular VlH'CI-OSS-SQCtlOII internally, of a lever, and means connecting-said leverwith said shaft, comprising a U-shaped member fitted into one end'of saidshaft and secured to said lever.

13. In a :hay-loader, the combination of an elevator-frame, rakingdevices above said elevator-frame, 'pitmen connected with said raking devices for actuating the same, sw in ging'supports on the lower end portions of which said pitmen are fulerumed, a lever, connections operatedby said lever for simultaneously adjusting the position of said swinging supports at both-sides of the machine, and means for securing said lever in different positions of adjustment.

1%. Ina haydoader, the combination of anelevator-frame, raking devices above said elevator-frame, pitmenconnected with said raking devices for actuating the same, swinging supports on which said pitmen are fulcrumed, a lever for adjustingthe position of said swinging supports, means 'for'securing said lever in different positions of adjustment, and a spring acting upon said lever in opposition to the weight of the pitmen and the raking devices.

15. In a hay-loader, the combination of an elevator-frame, raking devices above said elevator-frame, ;pitmen connected with said raking devices for actuating the same, swinging supports at opposite sides of the loader on which said %pit1nen are fulcrumed, a lever, means actuated by said lever to simultaneously adjust the swinging supports at both sides of the loader, and a spring acting'upon said lever in opposition to the weight of the pitmen and the raking devices.

' JOSEPH DA'IN. Witnesses:

JEssIE L. SIMsER, W. G. DUFFIELD.

Copies of this patentimay be obtained for five-cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of latents,

Washingtoml). C. 

